Barring a last-minute deal that neither side expects to happen, Chien-Ming Wang will hit the open market later tonight.

The veteran right-hander is one of eight recently declared free agents on the Nationals roster who will be free to negotiate with other clubs when the clock strikes midnight. Wang is joined by fellow right-handers Livan Hernandez and Todd Coffey, catcher Ivan Rodriguez, infielder Alex Cora and outfielders Laynce Nix, Rick Ankiel and Jonny Gomes.

That said, Wang still is expected to re-sign with the Nationals at some point in the near future, according to a club source.

The Nats have been hoping to retain Wang, who after spending two years recovering from major shoulder surgery went 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 11 starts in August and September. The Taiwanese nativeRead more »

thanks, mark. any idea what he'd be looking for in terms of years & avg $/yr? given that marquis was given an avg of $7.5/yr on his recently expired contract, it seems this team is willing to pay, but i'm not sure what his perceived market value is.

Please say it ain't so. I was really hoping to be wrong with my cynical look at the situation when he was re-signed last year to the 1 year deal.If he truly walks to another team, that kid in me is crushed. It means Wang walked for money when he said money wouldn't be an issue, it was about LOYALTY. I allowed people to sway me to Wang was different.

I liked the way Wang pitched this year, especially when he didn't have his best stuff. He is yet another example of a guy who knows HOW to pitch vs. a guy who throws good pitches. Takes a lot longer to learn HOW. Our young guys will learn from him, assuming he re-signs with us.

For starters, everyone in the "heartbroken" camp just calm down. Mark, Amanda Cormak and Bill Ladsen are all reporting that it's just a matter of ironing out details at this point. So you shouldn't be heartbroken unless you don't want Wang on the team. I'm in the pro-Wang camp (steady there, y'all). He's likely to be more productive then Marquis was (even this year) for less money. As for Beltran, put me in the suspicious camp. Yes he was great last year, but he turns 35 in April and before this year had not played more than half a season since 2008. He's going to want more guaranteed money than I think is wise to pay him, even in the crazy world of baseball. Pass.

With Wang signing it means Peacock and Milone to start in AAA and if Rizzo gets the #3, Detwiler to a trade or to the bullpen.I think all that is positive. Peacock can hopefully continue to work on his pitches and same with Milone. Detwiler can park himself in the bullpen and maybe become another Clippard.

Buster Olney said "There are other highly regarded assistant GMs telling friends they would not consider O's job if called. O's have major perception problem. Source says that Jerry DiPoto withdrew from O's job consideration when he was team's top choice. So in effect, two assistant GM's turned them down (with LaCava and DiPoto)".

I don't think it's a done deal that Peacock and Milone spend another year in AAA. Stuff happens which you don't anticipate. I for one don't see what Milone especially has to gain from another year in AAA. He may be moved to another team or he may join the rotation if Lannan is moved.

Gonat, I disagree. Under strong ownership the Dodgers are a premium franchise and they will compensate him such that he won't run. Keep in mind; he will likely win the MVP this year. Do you think he will want to chance that he has a down year next year or cash in on his current status?

jd, of course trades could change things. Its still good not to rush Peacock and Milone. By the way Byron Kerr will be doing a story on Sammy Solis new breaking pitch.Hoping Peacock and Milone both work on perfecting another 'plus' pitch in AAA.

Sounds like there's reason for optimism that a deal with Wang will go through. (Oh, wait. I forgot to do the headline knee-jerk panic reaction first. My bad. :-)) On a related note, after watching a replay of the first game of the Taiwan series, here's hoping that they have better weather for the rest of the games. It looked like quite a quagmire had developed in the first game, and I'm glad that nobody was hurt. Hope that our guys don't bring back that lame antler gesture with them. Yuck.

I don't understand our apparent need to go get another starting pitcher/#3 guy. Here's my rotation:StrasburgZimmermannLannanDetwilerWangWhen Strasburg gets shut down, we can easily have Peacock or Milone take over, and those are 2 guys I'm disappointed I can't find room for in the rotation next year. Detwiler has a chance to be one of our best pitchers next year, not sure why people seem to forget about him. And I hate to say it, but aren't we still paying May around $2 million to play minor league ball? Just saying we have plenty of good pitching. Where's the respect for Ross, especially since he is the only "rookie" who will be part of the rotation?

Always thought Wang was going to say with the club, especially with Davy offering his salary to sweeten the pot. Hope it gets resolved soon.BTW, see that Alex Cora, Maya, Atilano and Pudge are all playing for the same team in Puerto Rico (along with Pudge's son Dereck). First game is Friday, they should have some fun.

The team can't take 2 chances on the back of the rotation. Wang has a surgically repaired shoulder. With Detwiler you fear he can't go deep into games. Having Detwiler and Wang back to back in the rotation could put a strain on the bullpen.If Rizzo can't get a #3, then Detwiler becomes the defacto #5.